Ecosystem Conservation

• Introduction
• Regional Biodiversity Conservation Programs
• Bounceback - Flinders Ranges
• Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Regional Recovery Plan Pilot Project
• Contact

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Introduction

Kangaroo Island (Photo: P Canty)

Honan Scrub, Southeast SA

Protecting remnant native vegetation from grazing impacts

A decline in biodiversity has been observed across most regions of South Australia, particularly in the agricultural areas where habitat destruction or modification has disrupted ecosystems and created a landscape of remnant ‘islands’ or fragmented patches of vegetation. These remnants, and the biodiversity they support, are under continuing threat and thus ongoing management and rehabilitation of habitats is necessary if further loss of biodiversity is to be avoided.

Conserving our biodiversity is extremely important, not only in terms of its intrinsic values but because many of our economic activities are based on healthy and functioning natural systems. Any use of natural resources must be sustainable and the conservation and management of biodiversity is essential for the maintenance of natural systems.

The establishment of a comprehensive, representative and well managed reserve system is an essential part of ecosystem conservation. The reserve system in South Australia already contains a wide range of many of our unique ecosystems, from the sandy and stony desert areas to mallee, coastal systems and off-shore islands. Here you will be introduced to the nature and extent of the areas currently protected under the State’s reserve system and learn about how they are being managed. South Australia has also led the nation in the introduction of initiatives to secure conservation and appreciation of wildlife outside the formal parks and reserves system. Over 600,000 ha of native vegetation on private land involving over 1,100 properties are protected by Heritage Agreement. Clearance of native vegetation is controlled by legislation. Approval for clearance is largely confined to scattered trees of low biodiversity value.

Roadside vegetation can play a significant role in ecosystem conservation. A program run in the South East of South Australia, "The Roadside Vegetation Plan, South East" (100Kb PDF) assisted the local council and community with landscape scale ecological restoration by planning for future revegtation projects, and the management of remnant vegetation.

In addition to the actions required to protect ecological communities directly, ongoing management and rehabilitation of habitats is often necessary if further loss of biodiversity is to be avoided. You can find out more about some of the management programs being undertaken in South Australia to conserve and restore ecosystems both on and off reserves.

Such programs include the removal of threats, such as environmental weeds or grazing by domestic stock and feral animals, the eradication of introduced predators such as foxes and cats and, in some instances, the re-introduction of threatened species and the restoration of habitat through revegetation programs. Such management programs are crucial if we are to retain healthy and functioning ecosystems in the longer term.

Regional Biodiversity Conservation Programs

As part of our commitment to protecting the environment of the Regions, the Department for Environment and Heritage runs a number of programs designed to conserve our biological diversity (biodiversity) through education, community awareness and involvement with biodiversity on both public and private lands.

See Biodiversity Conservation Programs of Eyre Peninsula and Far West (previously Ark on Eyre) website
See Biodiversity Conservation Programs of the Murraylands Region website
See Biodiversity Conservation Programs of the Northern and Yorke Region website

Bounceback - Flinders Ranges

Bounceback is an ecological restoration program operating in the Flinders Ranges and Vulkathunha Gammon Ranges National Parks and on surrounding properties.

Bounceback is working towards the restoration of ecosystems to protect species that have persisted in the Flinders Ranges and make possible the reintroduction of some locally extinct species.

See more information on Bounceback
Download a copy of the Bounceback brochure (500Kb PDF).

Regional Recovery Pilot Project - Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges

The Commonwealth Government is investigating multi-taxa regional recovery planning options for threatened species and communities. The Regional Recovery Project will pilot the development of a Regional Recovery and Threat Abatement Plan in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Region.

See Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Regional Recovery Pilot Project web page.

Contact:

C Morony